Current Year 10 2020/2021 support thread

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I can’t see a thread for upcoming new year 10s, so I thought I’d start one, as the long-running GCSE one I’ve been part of for DD has been a life-saver.

DS has opted to take history, German, drama and music, plus double science, maths, English x2, and RE.
He’s pretty bright and does well without having to break a sweat (much to my frustration!), but doesn’t really know what he wants to do in the future. He’s a music scholar at his school, so does a lot of music (DH and I are both professional musicians...or were, before Covid hit...) but loves history and English.

His school provided excellent online schooling and he was lucky to be able to go in 2 days a week for the last 3 weeks of term.

His sister has just finished year 11, so we are biting our nails, waiting for results next week. She has quite a different academic profile, having ADHD and possibly dyspraxia, and has had to work hard throughout the last few years.

I hope us parents of DCs just starting the GCSE journey can help and support each other over the next couple of years. 🙂

My son is in year 10. He takes a GCSE in May and has already been graded on the practical part. Seems all wrong when he's only 14

We had a virtual parents evening this week. I quite liked the format as there isn't the usual scrum, running late etc. Ds also doesn't want his challenge grades set at 9 as he feels pressured so we'll see how it all goes. He's doing well but has first part 'gcse' exam on Tuesday and is stressing today! I have been supportive but in a nice way have told him he needs to be a bit more resilient as he'll have 10 to sit at once next year!

We had the results of ds assessment for extra time and he has been granted 25% extra and also can choose to do his exams in a smaller area. We're so relieved.

Well done to your DS Gumbo

We just started the holidays here though doesn't especially feel like a holiday more lockdown continued, at least the weather is getting a bit better and there are dates when things will open, just a shame its when the kids are back at school though DH did suggest we could go without them

The weather forecast has improved a lot for the punting - now a big sun and 20C but the lido day is 8C so I'm not sure if that will be viable. Told DS about the days and he seemed a bit horrified at punting and at the idea of a lido, he's probably right with the lido but it sounded good when I booked it.

Hope everyone has nice Easters. Good luck to those with real GCSEs looming. Our y10 exams have also been pushed back to the week after half term though they have constant exams and have had quite a few since being back despite it supposidly being assessment free. Though in the current climate its probably wise and DD seems to cope fine with them.

Where is everyone whose schools are already closed for the holidays? Our lot only close next Wednesday (well - actually Thursday, but it's not a school day and instead we have slots where we remotely chat to the Tutor).

Also, I'm confused by all the GCSE exams taking place - is this just in very specific subjects? Or has my DS not understood as is he supposed to be studying for something that he hasn't bothered to mention? I wish your DC well anyhow, all of those who've got exams looming...

@Gumbo We are in Wales. Finished on Fri for two weeks.

DD is doing ICT GCSE this year. Had one assessment on Tues, next bit is in May. I don’t really understand why they do it a year early, but actually it been good practice.

Thanks @HelloDulling ... I agree it's good for them to get some exams out of the way and get into the swing of how it all works.

Our school used to do English Language a year early for everyone but thankfully they have stopped that. DD asked if she could take Maths a year early but they said no-one is allowed to do that. Seems crazy to me to do English Language a year early for everyone as some children must fail because of that. If you aren't doing RE GCSE you are supposed to do half RE in year 10 which seems pointless to me though guess its practise -DD took full GCSE and DS I will try and get opted out as he refuses RE lessons. He used to love them at primary though they had some very passionate evangelical christain teaching there and at secondary its a very sceptical approach. Though DS appeared a bit confused at primary declaring himself half-Christian, half Muslim and that he would only have a Muslim wife.

We are in East of England and all schools off now and back 12th April, shame as we go back just as things to do start. Still have the punting and if we are desperate enough to risk hypothermia the lido. 9C that day though

Pleased for you @PringlePopIt

Jacks Gelato on Benet Street (next to the Eagle pub) does very nice ice cream if you fancy any @Silkies

Before they reformed the GCSEs I think it used to be more common to do one early in year 10 (mind you people used to do 12 or 13 at some schools!) I think there is an argument for it being good practice but then schools can always do end of year exams in exam conditions. I'm glad we don't have to face any this year, such chaos. I think DS will end up with only 8 GCSEs (and additional maths which is technically slightly different I think). I'm mainly worried about his English grade(s) being good enough. Would be nice if I could get him to do some work on it over the holidays but somehow it doesn't seem very likely - sigh.

Thanks Its I also need to help DS with English, well all writing but not easy with ASD and doesn't seem even to want to try, quite scary to think he'll have GCSEs in 2 years time. And he has to do 11 which is far too many for him but top set science do triple and double results tend to be 6 and below then the top set maths if they opt for stats do FM level 3 as an extra. I may get them to drop some later but will see how it goes, he refuses the SN room so it makes sense to put him in lessons. It's English x 2 plus History the big challenge though he already has geography so history could go if needed. He only writes about 1 line at the moment though apparently can speak history and english to very high levels but basically writes 1 line of nonsense. Really hoping he will get an EHCP soon.

We went punting and was lovely weather though a bit windy so didn't get far at all as no-one could punt and current was really strong. Hardly anyone there, just one or two very strong 20ish men managing fine. An ice cream would have been lovely but we were late though then uncharacteristically let us stay late too, only about 3 other punts out whole time there. DD tried, she was better than DH but that wasn't saying that much. Lovely to go out though.

Hope everyone has a good Easter. Our only other booked thing is the lido but that is forecast to be 9C so not sure that's viable. Still today was first family day out since summer holidays due to lockdowns / isolations / house move.

@Gumbo we are in East Lancashire and most of our schools here finished last week for two weeks, however the catholic primary school that DD went to doesn't finish until Thursday, I vaguely remember from her time there that they always have Holy Week in. It used to be quite good for sneaking cheaper holidays when everyone else had gone back in .
@PringlePopIt that must be a huge relief for DS, both the extra time and the quieter area so the reasons for the extra time might not necessarily be obvious? IME when DSS had "different" arrangements for managing his ADHD he hated it and didn't really take advantage as it marked him out from the rest of the class.
Silkies your plans sound lovely - our forecast is dry for most of the holidays but still struggling to get into double figures after tomorrow so not I'm brave enough to book much!!!!

Sorry @HelloDulling forgot to reply to you earlier , I have gently broached revision over the break with DD but don't really want to push too much, she's having a tough time with her dad at the moment so trying to be the non-naggy parent!!! I suspect she'll do some anyway when boredom strikes next week

@TheOnlyMrsW He's really keen about the smaller venue, he's also worried about other kids being horrible about him getting extra time as his grades are good so they may think it unfair. (He has a really worry about people judging him)

Hope everyone had a good Easter or is having one. Ours was pretty dull as nothing open apart from the punting once.

Not a great start back to school. DD had put in temporary pink hair dye which turned out to be not so temp so she was in the bathroom trying to unsuccessfully get it out.

But looks hopeful for DS to finally get an EHCP. Haircuts tomorrow!

Then DS as usual needed lots of help to get ready, got stressed by new pencil cases and bags and also wanted the one of his two identical blazers which was missing. So he has gone in late. Though was eventually located.

DH was getting grumpy as he wanted to be in the bathroom but at least two kids now at school. First lesson for DS is PE which he misses anyway so should be OK and he has his lunchcard. And DH can now take his shower. So hopefully world peace will shortly be restored.

Fingers crossed for the EHCP to come through for your DS Silkies - do you think they will do anything differently once it has come?

Back to school was actually pretty calm here this morning. The Easter hols seem to have passed very quickly but we didn't do much, met up with some friends and family, played board games, watched films. DS didn't seem to have any homework set and he's not one for doing stuff off his own bat. I did try to get him to read some of his English revision guides but I think he really needs a push from school rather than me. School seem to be (understandably) focusing on the year 11s at the moment, must be so stressful for them, glad I'm not a teacher!

Hope those still on holiday have a good week, at least you have some places to go now. Easter is later next year so they will go back to school on the Tuesday after the bank holiday Monday. I don't know if Easter being later is good for those doing exams or not, probably doesn't make any difference!

Thanks Its Glad you had a good return to school and nice if quiet Easter.

DS is in assessment stage for EHCP but LA replied to me to say they are drafting him one with professionals and senco said 9/10 who go to assessment get one so hopefully. It should make quite a difference for him and school - he needs help to write and school really need an extra person, DS is sometimes standing by a 60mph road in the rain and there's no staff. It's a very safe area and DS wouldn't run in the road but its not great. He really needed support from y7 but its taken this long to get this far, he had a full-time TA at primary at one stage but paid for by school. He is variable though, sometimes can manage. Also school here its 10 GCSEs and 1 level 3 which is like AS level so massive workload and he's pretty lazy.

His tutor has messaged to say he is very calm which is a relief. Got a haircut for him tomorrow as he currently looks like a sheep that hasn't been shaved for about 6 years but told him that and he smiled and said he loves sheep.

Not sure if DD did any work in holidays, she is very good at getting one with things by herself. I don't think they get much homework with pandemic, all I know is she has asked me to buy 3 different versions of Romeo and Juliet which seems excessive but if it helps why not.

Silkies Head & Shoulders original for getting rid of hair dye, if it's really stubborn something like Colour B4 is good but quite strong-smelling (speaks from experience!). DD is having all of her hair off next week - from bra-strap length to a pixie, she is much more excited about this than school .
We didn't do much over the holiday, DD met up with a couple of friends outside but otherwise much quieter than usual. I have a feeling this term is going to be a tough one, homework is starting back, DofE starting and exams straight back after half-term. Football is also back with a vengeance so training two nights a week plus Saturday mornings and matches on Sunday mornings.................
Good luck to all those going back this week as applicable

Thanks very much for the hair tips - at the moment she is still pink turning orange, ideally would be good if it just goes without redyeing, she has antidandruff shampoo which helps a bit but seems to spread it into her hair colour so we now have a less pinky more orangey look. School are being very tolerant which is good though not sure how long that will last. Hoping can get to the weekend and that's better when things go wrong which they generally do with hair dyeing experiments.

Hope everyone is having good returns to school / end of holidays.

Totally fell off. We are still on holiday and DS1 and DS2 have decided to fast for Ramadan for the first time - wondering how they will manage at school but lots of other kids do so I am sure that they will be fine.

We got end of term reports but to be honest since we only just had parents’ evening there were no surprises.

Hope you have a lovely rest of holidays Columbo and good luck with the fasting. 4 days of school down, quite uneventful so far but that's not a bad thing. DDs hair seems to be turning a more natural colour though it could be my poor eyesight and her rushing past, may have been a mirage.

Got both my covid vaccines in now and DH's second booked in though all an hour away.

Hey everyone 👋. I think I must have dropped off the thread for a bit! Hope everyone is well and enjoying the slow easing of restrictions. We have just come to the end of our school holidays, DD and DS back tomorrow.

I actually feel like we’ve done quite a lot. It was DD’s birthday on Good Friday and the weather was good so managed to get out for a walk/picnic with family that we haven’t seen since last summer so that was really nice. I’ve managed to get over and see my parents for lunch in their garden too so am feeling much better having seen them. DD and her friends went to Westfield shopping on Wednesday to celebrate her birthday and then they all came back to ours in the evening for a little gathering in our garden. Even DS has been more sociable this holidays meeting up with various different friends in parks. Usually he’s chained to his Xbox.

DH had his jab on Friday which I am chuffed about. This means that both of us will have had both jabs by beginning of July which is a relief. I am starting to tentatively hope that we might get a holiday abroad this summer but won’t look to book anything till much closer to the time.

The kids are both fine about going back to school tomorrow. I always think that this term is the best with warmer weather and longer days.

Hope everyone is all good. DH and I have a few pub lunches booked this week, thought we’d save it till the kids were back and savour it a bit more. 😂🥳

@Rollergirl11 welcome back. We are also back tomorrow though DS has an orthodontist appointment in the morning. I’ll still have DS3 here as he has an INSET day and my parents are moving this week which somehow seems to have become my responsibility.

All the best to those going back to school tomorrow, mine have been back a week and it's going ok.

Friend of mine says that her yr10 daughter reports that ALL her friends have tutors so I'm now left wondering if we should try and find a tutor for DS. He is really not keen on that idea! He does do the work the school are setting - but they don't seem to set much homework and in his weaker subjects he's doing only the bare minimum and rejects the idea of extra work. I'm sure the school have told them to revise previous topics etc but if it's not actually set on google classroom he doesn't want to do it. For him instructions have to be precise so general instructions to "revise" is not helpful.

Pub lunch sounds nice, hope you enjoy @Rollergirl11 - might try and persuade DH to go out as the weather improves if I can drag him away from his work - working from home means that work is always there so he ends up doing too many hours, a common problem I am sure.

@IThinkIMadeItWorse DS2 started his history today which is basically revision for a timed essay tomorrow. I looked at the paper and under evidence he has written ‘because they killed lots of people.’ Errr, pretty sure that isn’t evidence. I talked it through with him but he basically said he will just manage it tomorrow. He has done really well in history but bloody hell, not if he reproduces that tomorrow. He is year 8 so has time to ‘realise’. Doubly annoying for me as I am a historian.

DS1 though I am sure he should have been revising says it is all under control and though I never see him do work his report makes it clear he is so I’m trying to relax.

Welcome back Rollergirl Glad you had a great Easter and glad your DD got a good birthday. Enjoy those pub lunches.

Hope you get your foreign summer holiday. I've booked UK again as I'm not sure DS would cope with the testing plus it adds another £1,000 to the cost though the UK was so booked out this year and prices are up. Also had to not book first two weeks in case of covid close contact from school so not expecting great weather, last year we had lovely weather in Devon but we got the two good weeks a year. We've booked a week in the castle on the coast again with an indoor pool and activities on site and will take boat trips over round coast and to Lundy again, want to swim with seals again. Then we take a helicopter flight to Isles of Scilly and stay on Tresco coming back on a small plane. Both are very excited about the helicopter.

We were also thinking of going out without kids to see the seals on a boat trip but got an email from ed psych saying she'ld like to do a home visit for DS for his EHCP assesment for help at school as he won't communicate at school. He says he won't talk to her anywhere but feel obliged to say yes. We had been leaving the stuff from our house move thinking noone will be round until mid May, we can have a break. Plus rabbit has been eating our leather sofas. Then we have the logistics of rabbit lives in living room and DS is always with rabbit. I am allergic (asthma) to rabbit so cannot be in same room. But cat has dementia and lives in dining room and attacks visitors. Rabbit also needs to be seperated from cat otherwise he will charge at her and try and jump on her, they have a baby gate. But DS will run when he sees ed pscyh and may leave gate open leading to a rabbit / cat incident and then DS will run round entire house and lock himself in the furthest bathroom, ed psych will presumably follow so we have to sort all the house. Argh. It's a pointless exercise as he will just lock himself in bathroom and either be mute or scream, we tried already with autism assessment on video call. Hoping ed pscyh will take the hint and not come round but suspect she will anyway. All needs doing just had wanted a break first.

Its We aren't using tutors, also doesn't seem much homework, but grades are fine so will leave it for DD. My DS won't work with tutors. My friend uses one for French, I can see point in that as schools grades are weaker. At the grammar quite a lot of the girls had tutors but it was very full on for them and felt sorry for them as it was all study.

StColumbo My DS is y9 and terrible with the history questions, he gets me to write it but he finds putting the same in the argument for and the argument against hilarious and only 1 line for each. But he's certain he'll get grade 9 in GCSE.